Challenges of Health Care Policy

In a referendum early in December, the Hungarians decided on the future of their health care system. In Slovakia, all uneconomical hospitals are being closed. The patients must pay simple interventions and medicinal products themselves except where it is a matter of life and death. In Austria, the new health care reform is expected to save 600 million euros. The Austrian sick funds are rationing their benefits; for example, they pay practically no benefits for spectacles anymore.

Three countries, one dilemma: The European countries are suffering from their health care systems. How will they deal with these challenges?

FOPI, the Forum of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Industry, together with EFA, the European Forum Alpbach, is going to make these exciting topics the focal points of this year s winter event.